Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Eyes Historic NBA MVP Streak

Winning three consecutive NBA MVP awards is a rare achievement. Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Larry Bird are the only players to have done so. It has been 40 years since anyone joined this elite group, highlighting the difficulty of this accomplishment. Even basketball legends like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar haven’t achieved it.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder has a chance to join this list. Yet, his focus remains on team success over personal accolades. “I’ve just got to be the best player I can be for this basketball team, win as many games as possible,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. His previous focus has yielded back-to-back MVP victories.

Going into the season, the Thunder share the championship favorite position with the San Antonio Spurs. Gilgeous-Alexander has garnered over 75% of first-place MVP votes in the past two seasons. His 32 points-per-game average leads the league. He believes his best performance is still ahead, stating, “I feel like I’m a better basketball player, more versatile as a basketball player. In better shape too.”

The Thunder’s season opener is against the Spurs at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday in San Antonio, as part of NBA opening day. The Boston Celtics will face the Detroit Pistons at 2 p.m., followed by LeBron James’s Philadelphia 76ers versus the defending champion New York Knicks at 6 p.m. All games will be broadcasted on NBC-5.

Thunder general manager Sam Presti sees Hall of Fame potential in Gilgeous-Alexander. He highlighted the player’s work ethic, discipline, and character as essential traits. Presti noted, “His emotional awareness and regulation is superior, in my opinion. It’s extraordinary.” He praised Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise from a lightly recruited college player to NBA stardom, driven by a unique mindset.

The basketball landscape is changing, with international players winning the last eight MVP awards. If league general managers are correct, the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama could continue the trend. Joel Embiid, MVP in 2022-23, was a rare early favorite. Players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic became MVPs despite low initial expectations. Gilgeous-Alexander, drafted 11th, fits this pattern.

Presti believes Gilgeous-Alexander has further potential: “He’s still going. He’s got a lot more levels to go, and his mindset, I think, is the No. 1 thing that drives all that.” Success in the NBA reflects team effort, not just individual brilliance. Gilgeous-Alexander often credits his teammates and has shown gratitude with gifts after winning MVP titles.

For Gilgeous-Alexander, leadership transcends accolades. “It’s something that I’ve been intentional with, but also just I think naturally it’s just grown because I’ve grown as a man,” he remarked. “Becoming a father has helped with that. You’re an example for somebody every day. You lead by example — and it’s hard to get people to follow you if you don’t do the right things and you don’t walk the walk.”